Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are a class of drugs that mimic the action of GLP-1, which is a naturally occurring peptide hormone in the human body that is mainly responsible for regulating insulin, blood sugar levels, and appetite. The lower intestine produces potent amounts of natural GLP after a meal.
Physicians prescribe GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide, and dulaglutide for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and weight management for obese patients. Its antidiabetic action works by stimulating the GLP-1 receptor, increasing insulin production to convert the body's sugar levels to energy. It also prevents the release of glucagon (a hormone that activates the release of glucose reserves in the liver). As a weight management drug, it slows down gastric emptying to prolong the feeling of being full and promotes a feeling of satiety in the brain to reduce cravings.
According to a 2024 poll, the number of people in the United States who started using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss has increased by 700-fold in just four years from 2019 to 2023. In connection with this, there has also been a significant increase in the number of GLP-1 agonist users who are not diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This resulted in a shortage of the medication to dispense to diabetic patients.
Common side effects of the drug mainly affect the gastrointestinal system. Some patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. However, as more people use the drug, the possibility of occurrence of rare adverse events also increases.
A study found that while the drug is effective in weight management throughout therapy, discontinuing use will result in the patient regaining weight. Therefore, patients must continuously use the drug if they want to maintain their weight. Numerous studies support the efficacy of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss both in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, just like most synthetic drugs, its benefits also come with risks.
A 2023 study also revealed that the use of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss is linked to an increased risk of developing the following conditions:
The incidence of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer was studied in 56,000 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on GLP-1 medication for 1 to 5 years. The results revealed that 180 patients developed acute pancreatitis and 108 patients developed pancreatic cancer.
Gallstone disease was also linked with the long-term use of GLP-1 agonist drugs.
Patients who suffer from the adverse effects of the weight loss injections may file for compensation. Ozempic, a popular brand of a GLP-1 agonist drug, has had multiple lawsuits filed against its manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, for the adverse effects that patients experienced with long-term use.
In order to be eligible for compensation, the consumer must meet the following criteria:
You must have a strong claim to be eligible for damage compensation. This must be supported by medical records. Atraxia Law has a team of experts who can help you navigate the process of filing a claim.